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2026 Fall Flowers
The Autumn Equinox has come and gone, but it did not leave any cool temperatures in its wake. I am glad we are no longer experiencing the 100-plus Fahrenheit weather of the summer, so the 90 F days do feel like a cool wave. I am not yet ready to break out my sweaters or…
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Learning to Art
An art lesson in geometric perspective with commentary from Rudyard Kipling’s poem about creativity reminds us the artist’s experience and expression is as important as the image itself. We also are always called to do our best, not just for human praise, but for the joy of the work itself.
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Holy Fire in the First Cathedral
Revisiting a theme for a new painting. I’m in a different mood and this painting’s bright colors reflect this. Working on a painting over several days allows me to build my ability to concentrate over longer periods for reading or listening to conversations.
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Icarus and the Sun
After a long dry spell due to attending to other important matters, such as the taxman and the excitement of my annual conference, I have returned to my studio with pent up joy for painting. While all of us need to take care of the business of everyday life, I am finding I move more…
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How Do I Love Thee?
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, the poet answered in her Sonnets from the Portuguese, “Let me count the ways.” On Valentine’s Day, some of the many ways people shared their love were by sending chocolates, flowers, and cards. Most of us think we are honoring St. Valentine, or at least one of the three third CE saints…
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HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS
Halloween pumpkins painted in one of Picasso’s artistic styles was the prompt for our day, but our actual mission was to be present for a neighbor in need of a place to rest and recover her sense of self. Art affirms the makers, but we need to put our needs aside for the needs of…
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Two Types of Color Wheels
Two lessons using the color wheel: the first is to mix the colors around the wheel. The students who’ve done this exercise before get to mix the same colors, but create an image from their own imagination.
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Solid Geometric Perspective
An introductory lesson in perspective and shading using solid geometric objects for determining the skill level of students in a first art class. This lesson allows the teacher to modify the future lesson plans to build on the students’ noted strengths and weaknesses. It also allows for making several levels of the same lesson, if…

